Il vino solidale – Charity programmes in Italian wine

A cover feature on the use of charity programmes as a marketing tool for Italian wine. Covering Wine for life, L’Insieme, Umani Ronchi and Erik Banti. Written by Slawka G. Scarso. First published in Bibenda – December 2004-January 2005

INCIPIT

Wine has become more good. For once a similar statement is not the consequence of a tragically poor vocabulary. Nor necessarily of avant-garde techniques in wine-making, or of a particular clonal selection. The Italian wine world has recently taken part in numerous charity programmes. Not mere sponsorships – these activities are not restricted to increasing a company’s visibility by showing its logo in the promotional material of the sponsored event. On the contrary, they imply a wide plan, intimately linked with wine production.
...

A sample of tasting notes from the article

Villa Russiz - Collio Sauvignon de La Tour 2003 92/100
Greenish reflexes. Herby and sage scents, finely mixed with melon and grapefruit notes. Warm, it has excellent structure and balance, with acidity and roundness in evidence. Aromatic herbs lead the long and tasty final. It remains on its lees in steel tanks for 9 months. Try it with an asparagus flan.